Charly Almeida (1968- ) of Benin is a firm believer in recoupage, or recycling, and very often something he finds in the street will become the basis for an assemblage. This is true of both his pieces in this exhibition. In the case of Empreinte (Mark), the discarded leather sandal with all its symbolism has become the focal point which he elaborates in the bottom half of the composition. There we see print-like forms seemingly stitched on to the main canvas. All the pieces are bound and glued together as is the old sandal, both images secluded in window box shapes, measuring the importance of one another. Similarly, in L’Offrande (a gift), he juxtaposes a bundle of scrap cloth and twine with a small painting he has made and stitched onto the canvas. Both are offerings. Almeida splits his time between Benin and France, traveling occasionally to the United States.